Summertime getaways in Washington County are easy on the gas gauge

Jenny Kane / The OregonianAva Stark, 3 receives help from her mom while she tries to Hula Hoop during the YesterFest celebration. Children who signed up got a checklist of activities from the Parks and Recreation to complete from Hula Hoop to Water Balloon toss to the Cake Walk.

A plentitude of get-up-and-go opportunities kick off with Hillsboro's July 4 festivities

The rain -- we hope -- has finally stopped drip, drip, dripping, and the floral-packed outdoors beckons, especially if children are along for the ride.

But gasoline prices have siphoned off savings, putting long-distance jaunts out of reach for many families.

Truth is, though, Washington County has plenty to keep a fun and sun lover happy this summer. Best of all: We've done the legwork for you, unearthing a bundle of get-up-and-go activities, many of them free and all within 10 bucks' worth of fuel in your gas tank.

So read on, mark your calendars and spend the summer rediscovering where you live.

Festival fun

Hillsboro Fourth of July Parade: Floats, bands, cars, horses and clowns highlight this Hillsboro tradition. The free fun starts at 10 a.m. Friday; best views are along East Main Street. Hillsboro Kiwanis pancake breakfast served from 6 to 10 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 494 E. Main St. Tickets $6 for adults, $3.50 for children younger than 12. Information: www.hillsbororotary.org

Celebrate Hillsboro Presented by Intel and Tuality Healthcare: A basketball tournament, a Guinness World Record attempt, music and entertainment headline this free event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3. Civic Center plaza, East Main Street and First Avenue. Information: www.ci.hillsboro.or.us

Banks Bar-B-Q and Tractor Pull: The annual festivities, held Aug. 15-17 at Sunset Park on Main Street, include a parade, entertainment and barbecue. Admission free to park activities; fee charged for tractor pull. Information: www.oregonbankschamber.com.

Corn Roast and Founder's Day: Noon, Sept. 21, on the west lawn of Marsh Hall at Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove. This is a fundraiser for the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce and a celebration of the university's founding.

Pix on the Plaza: Free outdoor movies for families show at 7 p.m. Thursdays in August at Hillsboro's Civic Center, 150 E. Main St. Arts and crafts activities precede movies. Bring a blanket or low-back chair. Light refreshments on sale; no pets allowed.

Fern Hill Wetlands: Located at 1399 S.W. Fern Hill Road, Forest Grove, near the confluence of Gales Creek and the Tualatin River, the wetlands attract herons, hawks and eagles, as well as providing habitat for beavers, otters and mink. Short trails and viewing stands make it easy to view wildlife. Information: www.fgchamber.org/Map2.html

The idea: Roll the bocce, a 41/2-inch ball weighing about 3 pounds, as close as possible to the pallino, a 13/4-inch ball that is rolled down the lawn alley first. The bocce coming closest to the pallino wins. Play free at Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District's bocce court at Cedar Hills Park, 2300 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd.

Everybody loves a circus

Two circuses are scheduled this summer at the Washington County Fair Complex, 873 N.E. 34th Ave., Hillsboro.

• American Crown Circus will perform daily at 6 and 8 p.m. Friday through Monday. Cost: $15 adult; two children 12 and younger are admitted free with every paying adult. After the two free children, cost is $5 a child. Information: www.faircomplex.com

• The Hillsboro Rotary Club is sponsoring the three-ring Carson & Barnes Circus on Aug. 25. Two shows, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets, available at local businesses and through the Rotary Club, are $12 for 12 and older, $6 for 12 and younger; door tickets, $16 and $8. Tickets also available at www.carsonbarnescircus.com. Information: 503-844-6620.

Up, up and away

Soar the skies: Soar over Washington County with help from the Willamette Valley Soaring Club, 11870 N.W. Dersham Road, North Plains. Wednesdays and weekends, learn to fly a sailplane or let a licensed pilot take you into the clouds. Must be 10 or older and at least 90 pounds. Typical 20- to 25-minute flight costs $90. Information: flywvsc.googlepages.com

Oregon International Air Show: U.S. Patriots Jet Demonstration Team and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Jump Team are among headliners for the Aug. 8-10 show at the Hillsboro Airport, 3355 N.E. Cornell Road. Tickets, $10 to $25. www.oregonairshow.com

Wet and wild

City fountain: Nothing cools off a kid like a romp in the city fountain. Hillsboro's is located in the Civic Center Plaza at East Main Street and First Avenue. Plenty of seating for watchful adults --who may consider a chilled coffee from the nearby Starbucks. Typically open warm days until dusk.

A stone's throw away

The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, 26385 N.W. Groveland Drive, is packed with treasures collected by the late Richard and Helen Rice. Last year the house, built by the Rices in 1952, became Oregon's first-ever ranch-style house named to the National Register of Historic Places. Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students (to age 17). Children younger than 5 free. Information:www.ricenwmuseum.org or 503-647-2418.